Column: Doug Ford’s tax ploy tries to ‘pull a fast one on voters’

When it comes to ensuring workers in Ontario are paid a fair and decent wage, Conservative Leader Doug Ford is trying to pull a fast one on voters. His tax ploy for minimum wage workers will leave them and their families worse off, despite the slick sales tactics he uses to try to convince them otherwise.
 
Experts have already settled this: a minimum wage increase to $15 an hour means more money for workers after taxes. Nothing the Conservative leader proposes can change this.
 
Independent economist Sheila Block has said his latest tax credit scheme would still leave workers at least $1,100 worse off than the minimum wage increase he’s promising to roll-back. Combined with his promise to hand a $1.3 billion tax break to big business and large corporations, it’s clear his priorities lie with helping his rich friends profit at the expense of ordinary people.
 
The people making less than $15 an hour right now deserve better. These are people trying to pay their rent. These are moms and dads trying to buy food for their children. They need help but Ford’s plan actually leaves them worse off.
 
Unlike the Conservatives, we know now is the time to invest in the things that will help families, and ensure all hard-working Ontarians are sharing in our plan to create more fairness and opportunity.
 
Ontario’s economy is growing — more than 800,000 jobs have been created since the recession and our growth has been outpacing all of Canada and the G7 nations. But we know that not everyone is sharing the benefits of this growing economy.
 
With a $15 minimum wage, free prescription medication for youth and seniors, affordable and accessible childcare, and free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, we are making Ontario a fairer, better place to live for everyone. Ford's focus on making the rich richer shows Ontarians the stark contrast we face in the upcoming election.
 
 - Kevin Flynn is Ontario’s Minister of Labour